Scope and Content

Collection contains report on Dallas anti-crime committee findings and recommendations.  

In 1985, Dallas Mayor Starke Taylor appointed a 70-member criminal justice task force to develop an anti-crime battle plan.   The panel, composed of citizen volunteers in the civic, law enforcement, judicial, and business communities, examined every part of the local criminal justice system.   Charles T. Terrell was the committee chair.

The Task Force approached its research, responsibilities, and recommendations with the fundamental belief that "the first function of government is to protect and safeguard the lives and property of its citizens." (p. 11)

In addition to creating a legislative package, the Task Force identified over 50 local issues to implement.  Local recommendations focused on enhancing existing programs in the Dallas area and implementing new initiatives.  The Task Force also recommended that an increased number of police officers be provided for the City of Dallas.  Under the leadership of Mayor Taylor and the Dallas City Council, that recommendation was successfully implemented.

Mayor Austin Starke Taylor, Jr. was born in Paris, Texas, in 1922 and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1939 and Rice University in 1943.  He ran a cotton investing firm in Dallas and, in 1977, became president of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board.

Taylor resigned from the Park Board to run for mayor and served two two-year terms from 1983 to 1987.  As mayor, Taylor appointed a 20-citizen task forces to tackle civic issues from crime to economic development.  His achievements include gaining final approval for the widening of North Central Expressway, a project which began in the late 1980s, and leading the initiative to create the Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail system.  He also worked for better public housing, development in southern Dallas, and lead contamination cleanup in east Oak Cliff and West Dallas. 

Organization

NA

Access

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from the Dallas Municipal Archives. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.  The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Citation

Mayor's Criminal Justice Task Force Report, 1986  (Box #, Folder #), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Material

None

Index Terms

Crime -- Texas -- Periodicals
Dallas -- Texas -- History

Container List